nice looking project….you can make pens out of those shells….PSI sells them I think….if you can’t find the kits let me know, I have several of them and would be happy to send you a few… actually I’ll send you a few even if you can find them somewhere else…......and thank you for your service….

-- My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am---author unknown

StudiousMatt – feel free to use the quote. Sorry but I can’t give you a citation. Just something I read somewhere decades ago that stuck with me…

FreidasDad – Thanks. I’ve seen the 30 cal and similar kits but they don’t hold the spot in my heart as the 50 and writing with something as big and heavy as a 50 would be like trying to write with a stump. I think I’ll just put this on the shelf and tell lies about the bad ol’ days. By the way, thank you again. Proud to serve!